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Akbar Rajput Policy and Mansabdari ICSE 9 History

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History & CivicsICSE Class 9 · The Mughal Empire

Akbar's Rajput Policy, Integration Measures and the Mansabdari System (ICSE Class 9 History)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Akbar (1556-1605) won the support of the Rajputs through marriage alliances, high offices and respect for their honour, abolished the pilgrim tax (1563) and jizya (1564), followed sulh-i-kul and held debates in the Ibadat Khana. His mansabdari system gave every officer a numerical rank (zat) and a quota of cavalry (sawar), forming the basis of the army and civil administration.

Notice how alliances, tolerance and fair appointments joined together to build a united empire, backed by mansabdari ranks of zat and sawar.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Akbar's Rajput Policy, Integration Measures and the Mansabdari System

1. Source: Ain-i-Akbari. Written in Persian by Abul Fazl as part of the Akbarnama, it describes Akbar's administration, army, revenue and provinces in detail; as the work of an admirer it must be read critically.

2. The Rajput policy. Akbar saw that the friendship of the Rajputs would strengthen the empire.

  • *Matrimonial alliances*: he married a daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amber (1562) and other Rajput families; the brides kept their religion.
  • *High offices*: Rajputs such as Raja Man Singh and Raja Bhagwan Das received high mansabs and commands; Akbar also appointed able non-Rajputs such as Raja Todar Mal (a Khatri) in revenue.
  • *Honour and autonomy*: Rajput rulers who accepted overlordship often kept their states.
  • *Resistance*: the rulers of Mewar did not accept, and conflict with them lasted long.

3. Steps towards integration. Abolished the pilgrim tax (1563) and *jizya* (1564); followed *sulh-i-kul* (peace with all); built the *Ibadat Khana* at Fatehpur Sikri where scholars of different faiths debated; appointed able men regardless of religion; patronised translations of Sanskrit works into Persian.

4. Mansabdari system. *Mansab* means rank. Every officer, civil or military, was a mansabdar with a rank from 10 to 10,000 (the highest ranks generally for princes). From the 1590s two numbers were given: *zat*, the personal rank fixing status and salary, and *sawar*, the number of horsemen the officer had to maintain. Mansabdars were appointed, promoted, transferred or dismissed by the emperor, were usually paid in cash or by assignments of revenue (jagirs), and the post was not hereditary.

5. Merits and defects. Merits: a loyal salaried nobility, mixed in religion and region, under royal control; the army was kept ready. Defects: the system depended on a strong emperor and, later, too many mansabdars strained the revenue.

Akbar's Rajput Policy, Integration Measures and the Mansabdari System: key facts

Akbar
  • 1556-1605
  • Amber marriage 1562
  • Pilgrim tax abolished 1563
  • Jizya abolished 1564
Mansab
  • Ranks 10 to 10,000
  • Zat: personal rank
  • Sawar: cavalry quota
Integration
  • Sulh-i-kul
  • Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri
  • Appointments by merit
Source
Ain-i-Akbari by Abul Fazl | Part of Akbarnama

Akbar's Rajput Policy, Integration Measures and the Mansabdari System in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

School teams with mixed houses

Suppose a principal makes house captains from different communities, gives each a number of players to train and rewards loyal service.

Which Akbari features does this resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Officers from many backgrounds.
  2. Each responsible for a fixed number of soldiers.
  3. Appointment and promotion by the head.

Answer: The mansabdari system with sawar quotas and merit-based appointments.

Memory hook: Rank plus quota.

Tricks to remember Akbar's Rajput Policy, Integration Measures and the Mansabdari System

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • Z = Zaat = Self rank, S = Sawar = Soldiers

    Zat is rank, sawar is horsemen.

    Use it when: Mansabdari.

  • 63-64

    Pilgrim tax 1563, jizya 1564.

    Use it when: Dates.

Akbar's Rajput Policy, Integration Measures and the Mansabdari System: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Terms · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

Explain zat and sawar. [2]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Zat: personal rank fixing status and salary.
  2. Sawar: number of horsemen to be maintained.

Answer: Zat is personal rank; sawar is the cavalry quota.

Example 2: Rajput policy · 4 marks · Short answerBoard level

State four ways in which Akbar won the friendship of the Rajputs. [4]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Marriage alliances.
  2. Grant of high mansabs.
  3. Respect for their honour and autonomy.
  4. Freedom of religion for Rajput wives.

Answer: Marriage alliances, high offices, honour and religious freedom.

Example 3: Jizya abolition · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Why was the abolition of the jizya and the pilgrim tax significant? [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. They had been taxes on non-Muslims.
  2. Abolition ended unequal treatment.
  3. It won goodwill and helped integration.

Answer: It removed discrimination and brought the non-Muslim population closer to the state.

Example 4: Mansabdari evaluation · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Discuss two strengths and two weaknesses of the mansabdari system. [4]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Strength: officers were loyal and under the emperor's control.
  2. Strength: a ready army and regular administration.
  3. Weakness: dependence on a strong emperor.
  4. Weakness: too many mansabdars strained the revenue later.

Answer: Control and a ready army were strengths; dependence on the emperor and financial strain were weaknesses.

Example 5: Source: Ain · 6 marks · Source-basedHOTS / competency

Source. Abul Fazl describes in detail the ranks, horses and pay of officers. (i) Name the work. [1] (ii) Who was its author? [1] (iii) Why is it valuable? [2] (iv) Why must it be read critically? [2]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (i) Ain-i-Akbari.
  2. (ii) Abul Fazl.
  3. (iii) It gives detailed information on administration, army and revenue.
  4. (iv) The author was an admirer of Akbar and may have praised him.

Answer: (i) Ain-i-Akbari (ii) Abul Fazl (iii) Detailed administrative data (iv) Author was an admirer.

Where students lose marks in Akbar's Rajput Policy, Integration Measures and the Mansabdari System

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Confusing zat with sawar

    Meaning swapped.

    Do this: Zat is rank; sawar is horsemen.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Wrong dates for tax abolitions

    Dates mixed.

    Do this: Pilgrim tax 1563; jizya 1564.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Writing that the mansab was hereditary

    The post was not hereditary.

    Do this: The mansab reverted to the state on the holder's death.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Give dates in order: 1562, 1563, 1564.
  • Describe zat and sawar with a number example.
  • Use evidence from the Ain-i-Akbari.
  • Keep language neutral on religions.

Practice questions on Akbar's Rajput Policy, Integration Measures and the Mansabdari System

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    Akbar abolished the jizya in:
    (a) 1556
    (b) 1562
    (c) 1564
    (d) 1575

    Hint

    After pilgrim tax.

    Answer

    (c) 1564.

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    What was the Ibadat Khana? [2]

    Hint

    Fatehpur Sikri.

    Answer

    A hall at Fatehpur Sikri where scholars of different faiths debated.

  3. Q3 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    What was sulh-i-kul? [2]

    Hint

    Peace.

    Answer

    A policy of peace with all religions.

  4. Q4 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

    Assertion (A): The mansabdari system strengthened Akbar's control over his officers.
    Reason (R): Mansabdars were appointed, promoted and transferred by the emperor.
    (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
    (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
    (c) A is true but R is false.
    (d) A is false but R is true.

    Hint

    Emperor.

    Answer

    (a).

  5. Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Name two Rajput or non-Muslim officers who held high positions under Akbar and their roles. [3]

    Hint

    Man Singh.

    Answer

    Raja Man Singh as a commander and Raja Todar Mal in revenue administration.

  6. Q6 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Why did Akbar need the support of the Rajputs? [3]

    Hint

    Strength.

    Answer

    They were brave and powerful and rooted in the land, so their friendship would strengthen the empire and their hostility would cause wars.

  7. Q7 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Describe the role of Fatehpur Sikri in Akbar's policy of tolerance. [3]

    Hint

    Debates.

    Answer

    He built the Ibadat Khana there for debates among scholars of different faiths.

  8. Q8 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    State two differences between zat and sawar ranks and give an example of how they combined. [3]

    Hint

    Combine.

    Answer

    Zat is the personal rank fixing status and salary, while sawar is the number of horsemen the officer must maintain. Zat is a rank, whereas sawar is a cavalry quota. Example: an officer of 'zat 5,000, sawar 3,000' held personal rank 5,000 and had to maintain 3,000 horsemen.

  9. Q9 · 4 marks · Source-basedHOTS / competency

    Source. A Rajput noble sits in the emperor's court as a commander of 5,000. (i) Which system gave him rank? [1] (ii) What did the number show? [1] (iii) Why was this helpful to the empire? [2]

    Hint

    Rank.

    Answer

    (i) Mansabdari. (ii) His personal status and salary (zat). (iii) It made him a loyal part of the imperial service.

  10. Q10 · 3 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    Evaluate the view that Akbar's Rajput policy was purely political. [3]

    Hint

    Both.

    Answer

    It served political aims such as stability and loyalty, but it also included respect for their faith and customs, which went beyond mere politics.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Akbar's Rajput wife's father?Show answer

    Raja Bharmal of Amber.

  2. 2.Year of jizya abolition?Show answer

    1564.

  3. 3.Author of Ain?Show answer

    Abul Fazl.

  4. 4.Mansab means?Show answer

    Rank.

  5. 5.Meaning of sulh-i-kul?Show answer

    Peace with all.

Akbar's Rajput Policy, Integration Measures and the Mansabdari System: frequently asked questions

Was the mansab hereditary?

No.

Who was Todar Mal?

Akbar's revenue minister.

Where is the Ibadat Khana?

Fatehpur Sikri.